Dude Vision - Google Video

Dude Vision - Google Video

jon proudstar  

Indie Filmmaker

Jon Proudstar, a Native individual that I had the pleasure to interview for my book based on his creation of Tribal Force comic book, has a new film out called Dude Vision. The movie is a short (around 27 min or so) and is worth viewing, as it presents ideas from the view of a Native American male.

Also, it is worth noting, the film does not suffer from many stereotypes that can be found in media. A positive example of this is Jon's character, an Indigenous man, does not drink. Here's another stereotype-buster: the film isn't an "art film" and doesn't portray the "plight of the Indian" (to paraphrase Vine Deloria...man, we will miss him!)...it's a straightforward story from a particular point of view.

Good work, Jon. Keep 'em coming!
Check out Dude Vision - Google Video

Slipped my mind...

Slipped my mind...

 

Swiss Cheese Memory

Guess I should've already made the announcement about the website for my new book, Native Americans in Comic Books, going "live" some time ago. Heh. Sorry.

Um, check it out, if you have some time.
http://www.nativecomicbooks.com

Native Americans in Comic Book - news travels

Native Americans in Comic Book - news travels

 

Comics in the News

Very cool that this website picked up the news. Seems there is some genuine interest in this topic out there. Of course, this blurb is the best kind: short, sweet, and to the point...

Comic World News Headlines

Article on Comic Book Resources website

Article on Comic Book Resources website

native americans in comic books  

Sharing Ideas

A very interesting article at CBR. Seems many of us share similar ideas on Indigenous comic book characters. Check it out...feedback welcome.

Comic Book Resources - CBR News: Native Americans in Comics

Eiteljorg Museum Special Program: "Native American Portrayals in Comics"

Eiteljorg Museum Special Program: "Native American Portrayals in Comics"

publication  

Workshop in Indiana

Based on the attention my article in Native Peoples Magazine on Indigenous video game characters--and them finding out about my book on Native comic book characters from McFarland Publishing--the Eiteljorg has invited me to be a speaker at this all-day event March 10, 2007.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art»Programs & Festivals

This will be an excellent opportunity to discuss my book, get open dialog from other experts about the subject, and drum up more interest for the book. Be sure to come check out the event if you are in the (Indianapolis, IN) area!

Article in Native Peoples Magazine

Article in Native Peoples Magazine

video games  

Published Article

An article I've written, "Searching for Indigenous Heroes," about Native characters in video games, has been picked up by Native Peoples magazine. The issue hits newsstands soon, so pick up yours or order it online today!

Here's the description from the Native Peoples website: 2007 January/February:

"Viewpoint: The author outlines the history of Indigenous heroes in the video-game realm, and finds some losers and at least one game worthy of its Native roots: Prey, with voice by Michael Greyeyes (Cree). By Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo)."

Native American 3D Hologram Portraits on YouTube

Native American 3D Hologram Portraits on YouTube

3D  

One Step Closer to Star Trek's Holodeck?

While this is not exactly what I had in mind when I talk about Indigenous people in 3D media, it certainly is cool...if only the author was Indigenous himself! (It is difficult to tell if this individual is Native, as neither the YouTube nor his website specify any tribal affinity...most times, this translates into "Non-Native.")

However, this media does showcase real Native people in culturally-specific garb. The holograms also serve to celebrate Indigenous people instead of exploit them...so much kudos for that.

Now all we need is to get a Native person trained to do holograms and we will be "set". Heh.

Check it out.YouTube - Native American 3D Hologram Portraits
Native American Holo-Portraits by Mark Diamond

"Scalped" creator discusses Native American comic book

"Scalped" creator discusses Native American comic book

native americans in comic books  

We (Indigenous People) Should Tell Our Stories

"Scalped" is a new comic book line from Vertigo (part of the DC family). While the series creator, Jason Aaron, has the right idea about how presenting Indigenous characters within popular media (i.e., attempting to break racial stereotypes and present some dramatic action), I still maintain that we Native people should be creating the very comic books that represent us.

However, Aaron's mindset and heart might be in the right place. "Scalped" is due out in JAN '07.
Comic Book Resources - CBR News - The Comic Wire

Native Artist Effects Change in Online Artist Representation

Native Artist Effects Change in Online Artist Representation

Native American artist  

Art and Culture

It is refreshing to see a Native American artists taking progressive steps with today's technology. It is true: do any search on "Native Art" and there are many websites that pop up...only some of which are actual Indigenous artists.

Perhaps it is time that Oklahoma Native Artists come together - digitally speaking, of course - to form an online clearing house for Internet users to view art and be assured that it is truly "Native" (and completely free of the "made in {insert Asian country here}" stickers that are sometimes seen on "Native American" art).
IR // News // Artist seeks to redefine genre

The Norman Transcript - Recent OU grad seeks to shatter stereotypes about Native American art

The Norman Transcript - Recent OU grad seeks to shatter stereotypes about Native American art

Native American artist  

In The News

It's nice to get a little good press these days. This piece appeared in Pop magazine over the past weekend.
The Norman Transcript - Recent OU grad seeks to shatter stereotypes about Native American art

Excite News - 'Second Life' 3-D Digital World Grows

Excite News - 'Second Life' 3-D Digital World Grows

3d modeling  

Life in 3D

While 2nd Life (yes, I know I am spelling it wrong) has been around for quite some time, it has only recently caught the attention of mainstream media. Perhaps this is due to it everygrowing popularity...more likely, it is due to the fact people make actual money inside this virtual world. Anytime there is money to be made, the news media is not far behind.

Not that there is anything wrong with making money.

However, as this article mentions, there are other important aspects to 2nd Life such as academic and simulation training. Given that 2nd Life is free (for basic membership), this can be a very cost effective forst step for individuals seeking advantages in simulation-based training scenarios.
...Or they could just hire me to create the virtual world for them. I'm cheap.
:)
Excite News - 'Second Life' 3-D Digital World Grows

Chickasaw Adventures

Chickasaw Adventures

native americans in comic books  

Comic Book with Chickasaw Characters

This is a GREAT idea...and the art is well done.

This is a comic book that not only showcases a particular Native American culture (Chickasaw), but also demonstrates our "continuance" into modern times. In addition, members of the Chickasaw Nation were involved in the creation process to ensure authenticity within the images.

Every tribal nation should develop popular media such as this...just make sure the artist is on par with Tom Lyle's (artist for this comic book).
Chickasaw Adventures

Native Americans in Video Games

Native Americans in Video Games

 

Native American Protagonists

There have been too few Indigenous characters in video games. Off the cuff, there are only a few video games with Native American characters that come to mind: Nightwolf from "Mortal Kombat 3", Chief Thunder from "Killer Instinct", T. Hawk from "Street Fighter", War Wolf from NES's "Werewolf", and Turok from (of course) "Turok".

Out of all those, Turok was the only one that depicted a Native central protagonist (main character)...and that was way back in the late 1990s.

We can now add one more title to this list.
PREY is the new kid on the video game block and it features an Indigenous central character at the helm. It is a first-person shooter (FPS) game with a lot of very sweet special effects and really big guns (RBGs) to use.

Indigenous Talent

Oh, one more thing... PREY goes one step further and uses actual Native Americans for its Native American parts. It is sad that this is a novel idea, but in video game media, this is a novel idea. Tommy, Prey's central character, is voiced by Michael Greyeyes, a Native actor, teacher, and dancer. In addition, he is joined by Crystle Lightning, who provides the voice of Jen, Tommy's girlfriend.

It's about time a video game with Indigenous people came out...I am getting tired of playing my same old version of Turok this whole time. We Native people need all the heroes we can get...it's good to see one prominently displayed in such a popular media as the video game industry.

WELCOME!

WELCOME!

 

Greetings, everyone.
I would like to welcome you to alterNative Media's new blog. Here we will share information, opinionts, and news about various subjects associated with our business.
If you have a moment, I would like to suggest you check out our business website where you can view various examples of traditional and digital art. You can also view expamples of what types of projects we can do for you, including:
-sketchwork/portraits
-corporate logo design
-website creation
-3d modeling
-2d animation
-print ads...and more!
Take a look at what we offer for both personal and professional art / media projects. alterNative Media welcomes any comments or questions you have. Feel free to contact us via email at any time.
Email us: info@alternativemedia.biz
Even if you have a project and it's not listed, send us an email describing your need...between our various levels of expertise and our network of contacts we may be able to provide a custom solution for you at a very affordable price.
Thanks and have a great day...

Michael Sheyahshe, digital artist
alterNative Media
http://www.aternativemedia.biz